SEO for a starter

[feneris]

Hi

I operate in a rather competitive market (IT and project management related training), and my focus is the UK market. I've recently started focussing on SEO. I have been creating content, albeit slowly. I have completed writing a book on my target subject, which is due to go out in a couple of weeks (I've received very positive feedback so far). And I have a decent PPC campaign.

To get to decent ranking on Google etc., my plan is

1. Focussing on quality content and publishing on my site (I have about 15-20 articles in the pipeline). Reaching out for guess posts is next, but creating this much content is hard.

2. Get external SEO help for link building and off-page SEO. This is somewhat confusing for me, as I've got offers ranging from blog posts, BMR etc. I have some budget for this, but don't exactly know what to target.

3. Gradual focus on on-page optimisation.

I haven't done anything on social front, on FB, Twritter. I do have a solid LinkedIn profile (personal).

I have one full time resource available to help me out.

What should I focus on? What am I missing?

Cheers.

[Highland]

If you've written a book then you need to work on your image as an authority figure. Go out to tech sites and get yourself interviewed, with a link to your site. This is the kind of link building that Google loves and it pays the greatest rewards in the long run.

Offer some excerpts on your site. Better still, write your content and insert excerpts. Creates a natural teaser that makes people want to buy your book (which is why you're doing SEO). Maybe add a "power" picture of yourself (I'm basing this on what I've seen others do).

You NEED a FB page. Twitter plays a role too, but it requires a lot more fresh content. if you can't keep your Tweets up I'd skip it.

[jobintourism]

To my experience it's very important to post solid contents continuously, to let people come and know you during the time even though it may be a good idea to have some content online to start.

Then I have good results with my Facebook page (in the Italian market): it's very easy to manage and very effective in spreading your content around the web.  Furthermore, once you've got a good number of friends, your contents run even faster.

[RobertFisher]

Feneris,

Any plan requires first knowing where you are. You state you have a decent ppc campaign, but do not state anything about your website. How is it ranked, type, etc. When I read your plan for ranking on Google, I first see you are focusing on content: is the site new? If so, How many pages? Architecture is flat - 2 to 3 clicks to anywhere? Keywords are good to go and you are ranking for at least some of them?

If not ranking for keywords or no kw analysis yet,  I would take a step back and focus on site map as it applies to visitors coming to the site and do keyword analysis prior to the content. Believe me I am sure you know your subject, but my experience is everytime I do keyword analysis I am amazed at the way people search differently than me. An example for us is we have several attorney clients in various areas. In some cities, attorney is used as the most searched on term and in others it is lawyer??? So, I would do that first as it will apply to your content writing.

Next, I would make sure that my on page is spot on because otherwise, it is going to languish until you get the bug and you will be wasting your good content as no one will see it. A typical mistake with newer sites is identical title tags on every page - really bad for SEO. Another is you need quality meta descriptions for the organic traffic you get or they will not click through which is also bad for SEO.

I would also go after my Local SEO (places, bing bus portal, yahoo local and citation sites). If your site is new and your resources are good, I would sign up with Yahoo directory for the $295/yr. If you claim your SE local and 12 to 20 citation sites you will have helped yourself a lot.

Then, when your book goes out, set up speaking engagements and interviews for yourself and get the media links, etc. Whenever you are going to be hawking the book in the media make sure there is a link to your site. I am assuming you are creating a site for the book???

So, that is my 2 pence worth. Hope it is helpful.

Robert

BTW - Do not forget to support open source developers by making contributions when you use their tools. Keep the Internet Open.

[KeriMorgret]

Hi Feneris,

Were these answers enough to get you started, or are you still looking for some more advice? We'd love to have you check in and know how things are going for you. Thanks!